Expert: Pat G - 4/3/2010

Question
hi!
im 10 weeks and 3 days pregnant, but nver been to da doctor. i took misoprostol last feb. wen i am 5 weeks pregnant (6 tab. oral and vaginal) nothing happen and now im 10 weeks pregnant, and took 6 tablet again but still nothing happen. I drink (ajiwine-they called it in india) 3 times a day like tea. but still nothing happens. Im not married and im not ready yet to have a baby w/o father. Is der any way that i can still abort the baby?.. if i want to keep it, is there any possibility that baby is fine?..not defected?...in any ways?

Answer
Hello, hain,

You are now too far along for tablets to work. Many times taking just misoprostol by itself doesn't do anything anyway. Since you are in UAE, I'd have to say that there is probably no way you can have an abortion. Even if you weren't there, I'd advise against it, because abortion can kill you. The manufacturer of misoprostol says a pregnant woman should NEVER take it. That is because there are several ways it can kill her, sometimes within hours. You should NEVER take it vaginally especially, because you can get a deadly infection, and your body won't fight back. That's why once they diagnose the problem, there is no way they can save the mother's life as a general rule.

How long ago did you take 6 tablets? Offhand, I don't know why ajiwine should cause an abortion. Wines tend to be low in alcohol, and they were customarily drunk instead of water in the Mediterranean area because the water was unsafe to drink. You didn't have large numbers of babies with problems being born there as a result.

Since your baby survived your first attempt and is still growing, I think it's likely that no serious damage was done, although there is a slight possibility. This possibility is greater than it otherwise would be, but no pregnant mother is exempt from this concern. I don't want to minimize the possibilities, but the most likely thing is that everything is fine.

Unfortunately, there are not many resources in UAE for pregnant single mothers. However, if you are able to find a Catholic church, they may be able to help you. Don't be afraid to go ask for help. You really deserve better than to take these kinds of risks with your life. In some other countries, a woman with a baby can often find an honorable man to marry her, and often, the man will raise the child as his own, or even adopt the child outright. You might seriously consider emigrating to another country at some point so that there is that possibility. But in the meantime, I'll be happy to talk to you about motherhood. Will you be able to make it financially? That is the main concern.

Please keep in touch, and please don't take any more chances. Stay safe!